Sam Riley is an English actor and singer who can be seen in the 2012 film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's On the Road. He acts as both the narrator and the film's protagonist, Sal Paradise. In 2011 he acted alongside Helen Mirren in the British film Brighton Rock, where he plays the character of Pinkie Brown.

His breakthrough performance came with the role of Ian Curtis in the 2007 biopic Control, which is based on the lead singer's turn in the 1970s post-punk band Joy Division. The performance won Riley many nominations and just as many awards. He ended up taking home a top honor with the British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer.